general discussion begins in the chamber. Every measure must pass two
readings in each chamber, with an interval of five days, unless
otherwise ordered by a majority vote. A member wishing to take part in
the debate indicates his desire by inscribing his name on lists kept
by the secretaries. On the motion of any member, the closure may be
applied and a vote ordered. The division may be taken by a show of
hands, by rising, or by a ballot in which a white voting paper denotes
an affirmative, and a blue one a negative, vote. Voting by proxy, long
permitted, has been recently abolished. No decision is valid unless an
absolute majority of the members (151 in the Senate and 299 in the
Deputies) has participated in the vote. In the upper branch
proceedings are apt to be slow and dignified; in the lower they are
more animated, and not infrequently tempestuous. The duty of keeping
order at the sittings falls to the president. In aggravated cases he
is empowered, with the consent of a majority of the chamber, to
administer a reprimand carrying with it temporary exclusion from the
sessions.[488]

[Footnote 488: A. P. Usher, Procedure in the French
Chamber of Deputies, in _Political Science
Quarterly_, Sept., 1906; J. S. Crawford, A Day in
the Chamber of Deputies, in _Gunton's Magazine_,
Oct., 1901; M. R. Bonnard, Les modifications du
reglement de la Chambre des Deputes, in _Revue du
Droit Public_, Oct.-Dec., 1911. The standard
treatise on French parliamentary procedure is J.
Poudra et E. Pierre, Traite pratique de droit
parlementaire, 8 vols. (Versailles, 1878-1880.)]

*355. Powers and Functions: the National Assembly.*--Speaking broadly,
the functions of the French chambers are three-fold--constituent,
elective, and legislative. The first two are required to be exercised
by the two houses conjointly. By the constitutional law of February
25, 1875, there is provided the only means whereby the constitution of
the Republic may be amended. "The chambers," it is stipulated, "shall
have the right by separate resolutions, taken in each by an absolute
majority of votes, either upon their own initiative or upon the
request of the President of the Republic, to declare a revision of the
constitutional laws necessary. After each of the two chambers sh